Breast Cancer Alliance

99%

Impact & Measurement

Accountability & Finance

Culture & Community

Leadership & Adaptability

Breast Cancer Alliance

Is this your nonprofit?

501(c)(3) organization

Donations are tax-deductible

http://breastcanceralliance.org

48 Maple Avenue

Greenwich CT 06830

203-861-0014

Greenwich CT | IRS ruling year: 1998 | EIN: 06-1453500

An EIN is a unique nine-digit number that identifies a business for tax purposes.

Organization Mission

The mission of the Breast Cancer Alliance is to improve survival rates and quality of life for those impacted by breast cancer through better prevention, early detec ... (More)

Rating Information

Great

This charity's score is 99%, earning it a Four-Star rating. If this organization aligns with your passions and values, you can give with confidence.

This overall score is calculated from multiple beacon scores, weighted as follows: 35% Accountability & Finance, 44% Impact & Measurement, 9% Leadership & Adaptability, 12% Culture & Community. Learn more about our criteria and methodology.

Historical Ratings

Charity Navigator's ratings previously did not consider Leadership & Adaptability, Culture & Community, or Impact & Measurement. The historic rating mainly reflects a version of today’s Accountability and Finance score. More information on our previous rating methodologies can be found on our rating methodology page.

Date Published	Overall Rating
6/1/2020
3/1/2020
7/1/2019
This organization received multiple star ratings within this fiscal year, due to an update to its Accountability and Transparency data and/or the receipt of an amended Form 990.
12/1/2018
5/1/2017
8/1/2016
6/1/2016
10/1/2015
7/1/2015
10/1/2014
12/1/2013
11/1/2013
10/1/2013
4/1/2013

Rating Report

Impact & Measurement
Accountability & Finance
Culture & Community
Leadership & Adaptability

Accountability & Finance

Score

100

Most Recent Fiscal Year:
FY 2023

This beacon provides an assessment of a charity's financial health (financial efficiency, sustainability, and trustworthiness) and its commitment to governance practices and policies.

Learn more

Key Accountability Metrics

Full Credit

Partial Credit

No Credit

Majority Independent Board Members - 100% independent members

8 out of 8 points

Source: IRS Form 990

Independent Board Size - 27 independent members

7 out of 7 points

Industry professionals strongly recommend an independent governing body to allow for full deliberation and diversity of thinking on governance and other organizational matters. For most organizations, we check to see if the organization has at least three independent board members. For large, donor-funded organizations, we check to see if the organization has at least five independent board members

Source: IRS Form 990

Financial Statements - Audit and Oversight Committee

15 out of 15 points

An Audit, Review, or Compilation provides important information about financial accountability and accuracy. Organizations are scored based on their Total Revenue Amount:

Total Revenue Amount	Expectation to Receive Credit
$2 million or higher and 40% or higher donor support	Expected to complete an audit and have an audit oversight committee
$1 million or higher	Expected to complete an audit
$500,000 - $1 million	Expected to complete an audit, review, or compilation
Less than $500,000	No expectation (removed from scoring methodology)

Source: IRS Form 990

Material Diversion of Assets - None

10 out of 10 points

A diversion of assets — any unauthorized conversion or use of the organization's assets other than for the organization's authorized purposes, including but not limited to embezzlement or theft — also can seriously call into question a charity's financial integrity. We review the charity's most recent IRS Form 990 to see if the charity has reported any diversion of assets.

Source: IRS Form 990

Tax Form Disclosures and Policies

Full Credit

Partial Credit

No Credit

Website Listed on Tax Form - Listed

2 out of 2 points

Charity Navigator looks for a website on the IRS Form 990 as an accountability and transparency metric.

Nonprofits act in the public trust and reporting publicly on activities is an important component.

Source: IRS Form 990

Conflict of Interest Policy - Listed

4 out of 4 points

Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a conflict of interest policy on the IRS Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.

This policy protects the organization and by extension those it serves, when it is considering entering into a transaction that may benefit the private interest of an officer, director and/or key employee of the organization.

Source: IRS Form 990

Whistleblower Policy - Listed

4 out of 4 points

Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a whistleblower policy per the IRS Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.

This policy outlines procedures for handling employee complaints, as well as a confidential way for employees to report financial or other types of mismanagement.

Source: IRS Form 990

Document Retention and Destruction - Listed

4 out of 4 points

Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a document retention and destruction policy per the IRS Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.

This policy establishes guidelines for the handling, backing up, archiving and destruction of documents. These guidelines foster good record keeping procedures that promote data integrity.

Source: IRS Form 990

Documents Board Meeting Minutes - Yes

2 out of 2 points

Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the IRS Form 990 that the organization has this process in place as an accountability and transparency measure.

An official record of the events that take place during a board meeting ensures that a contemporaneous document exists for future reference.

Source: IRS Form 990

Website Disclosures

Full Credit

Partial Credit

No Credit

Tax Form Posted on Nonprofit's Website - Listed

4 out of 4 points

For almost all charities, we check the charity's IRS Form 990 to see if it discloses that the Form 990 is available on the charity's website. As with the audited financial statement, donors need easy access to this financial report to help determine if the organization is managing its financial resources well.

Source: IRS Form 990

Financial Metrics

Full Credit

Partial Credit

No Credit

Liabilities to Assets: Ratio - 35.20%

15 out of 15 points

The Liabilities to Assets Ratio is determined by Total Liabilities divided by Total Assets (most recent IRS Form 990). This ratio is an indicator of an organization's solvency and/or long-term sustainability.

Source: IRS Form 990

Program Expense: Ratio - 75.56%

25 out of 25 points

The Program Expense Ratio is determined by Program Expenses divided by Total Expense (average of most recent three IRS Forms 990). This measure reflects the percent of its total expenses a charity spends on the programs and services it exists to deliver.

Source: IRS Form 990

Additional Information

Total Revenue and Expenses - Data Available

This chart displays the trend of revenue and expenses over the past several years for this organization, as reported on their IRS Form 990.

Salary of Key Persons - Data Available

Presented here are up to five of this organization's highest compensated employees. This compensation data includes salary, cash bonuses, and expense accounts and is displayed exactly how it is reported to the IRS. The amounts do not include nontaxable benefits, deferred compensation, or other amounts not reported on Form W-2. In some cases, these amounts may include compensation from related organizations. Read the IRS policies for compensation reporting

Yonni M Wattenmaker, Key Employee

$258,750

Meg Russell, Director

Dr Michelle Abadir-hallock, Director

Kim Augustine, Director

Mary K Jeffery, Director

Source: IRS Form 990 (page 7), filing year 2023

IRS Published Data (Business Master File) - Data Available

Below are some key data points from the Exempt Organization IRS Business Master File (BMF) for this organization. Learn more about the BMF on the IRS website

Foundation Status:

Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) (BMF foundation code: 15)

Affiliation:

Independent - the organization is an independent organization or an independent auxiliary (i.e., not affiliated with a National, Regional, or Geographic grouping of organizations). (BMF affiliation code: 3)

Data Sources (IRS Forms 990) - Data Available

The Form 990 is a document that nonprofit organizations file with the IRS annually. We leverage accountability and finance data from it to form Encompass ratings. Click here to search for this organization's Forms 990 on the IRS website (if any are available). Simply enter the organization's name (Breast Cancer Alliance) or EIN (061453500) in the 'Search Term' field.

Impact & Measurement

Score

100

This beacon estimates the actual impact a charity has on the lives of those it serves, and determines whether it is making good use of donor resources to achieve that impact.

Learn more

Assessments

Impact

100 out of 100 points

100% of Impact & Measurement score

Full Credit

Partial Credit

No Credit

Impact Determination - Highly Cost Effective

100 out of 100 points

Impact Statement

$0.31 provides a dollar's worth of essential goods to someone in need [2021 USD]

Program Context

The program directly distributes goods that fulfill the basic needs of its beneficiaries.

Data Time Period

1/5/23 to 1/5/24

Benchmark for Scoring

Impact & Results scores of goods provision programs are based on comparing the cost to distribute the goods against the market value of those goods. Programs receive an Impact & Results score of 100 if the cost to distribute goods is less than 75% of the value of those goods and a score of 80 if it is less than 125%. If a nonprofit reports impact but doesn't meet the benchmark for cost-effectiveness, it earns a score of 65.

This nonprofit's cost per meal is less than 125% of the local meal cost.

Methodology

Nonprofit submission

Data Source

These data were submitted directly by the nonprofit.

Measurement

Unscored

0% of Impact & Measurement score

Full Credit

Partial Credit

No Credit

Program Planning and Design - No data available

This section assesses the use of crucial evaluation tools in program objective-setting and activities.

Program Development - No data available

This section assesses the consideration of stakeholders in program objectives and activities.

Data Collection and Analysis - No data available

This section assesses the best practices used in collecting and analyzing program data.

Reporting and Distribution of Results - No data available

This section assesses reporting and disseminating program results.

Use of Results - No data available

This section assesses the use of results to guide learning.

Culture & Community

Score

90

This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's culture and connectedness to the community it serves.

Learn more

Metrics

Full Credit

Partial Credit

No Credit

Constituent Feedback - Data Available

100 out of 100 points

33.33% of beacon score

This organization reported that it is collecting feedback from the constituents and/or communities it serves. The methodology leveraged for Constituent Feedback is based on The Core Principles of Constituent Feedback, which describes listening and responding well to feedback. Charity Navigator participates in a consortium with other feedback experts and leading nonprofit infrastructure platforms to drive Constituent Feedback's advancement, promotion, and data collection.

How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?

To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve

What challenges does your organization face in collecting feedback from the people you serve?

It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback, Other means

Equity Practices - Data Available

85 out of 100 points

66.67% of beacon score

This organization's score of 85 is a passing score. The organization reported that it is implementing 7 Equity Practices.

The Equity Strategies Checklist, developed by Equity in the Center, consists of practices and policies that promote racial equity in operations and programs. This data is collected in partnership with Candid.

Equity Practices (3/7)
	We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race.
	We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and/or portfolios.
	We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization/'s programs, portfolios, and the populations served.
	We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
	We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
	We disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured
	We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.

Equity Policies and Procedures (4/7)
	We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity.
	We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions.
	We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
	We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
	We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
	We measure and then disaggregate job satisfaction and retention data by race, function, level, and/or team.
	We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.

Leadership & Adaptability

Score

100

This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's leadership capacity, strategic thinking and planning, and ability to innovate or respond to changes in constituent demand/need or other relevant social and economic conditions to achieve the organization's mission.

Learn more

Metrics

Full Credit

Partial Credit

No Credit

Mission

10 out of 10 points

The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization's mission

The mission of the Breast Cancer Alliance is to improve survival rates and quality of life for those impacted by breast cancer through better prevention, early detection, treatment and cure. To promote these goals, we invest in innovative research, breast surgery fellowships, regional education, dignified support and screening for the underserved.

Vision

10 out of 10 points

The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization’s vision.

Note: The organization did not respond to this question.

Source: Nonprofit submitted responses

Goals

20 out of 20 points

The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking and goal setting through sharing their most important strategic goals.

Goal One: There is still so much work to be done to improve statistics for breast cancer, despite the great strides that have been made over the past 25 years.

Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.

Goal Two: Awareness and education are key to early detection and improved survival rates. We will be expanding our virtual educational offerings to reach all, regardless of gender, race or socioeconomic status.

Goal Type: This goal reflects our commitment to further our advocacy work for our organization and or cause area.

Goal Three: We are always opening to hear what attracts people to our mission, and in what ways they would like to meaningfully engage. We will continue to adapt our programming to accommodate that feedback.

Goal Type: New program(s) based on observed changes in needs among our constituencies/communities served.

Leadership Development

15 out of 15 points

The nonprofit provides evidence of investment in leadership development

Describe an investment in leadership

Our Executive Director has engaged in multiple webinars and conference, on everything from COVID impact to breast cancer challenges and advancements to improved fundraising strategies. She shares what she learns with the leadership and also shares opportunities in which they can engage as well, to improve their own skills and knowledge of philanthropy and breast cancer.

Mobilizing for Mission

15 out of 15 points

The nonprofit provides evidence of leadership through focusing externally and mobilizing resources for the mission.

This organization mobilizes for mission in the following ways:

Strategic Partnerships
Networks of Collective Impact Efforts
Thought Leadership
Raising Awareness
Community Building
Policy Advocacy

What are this organization’s external mobilizaton efforts?

Our leadership is constantly striving to improve the impact of, and enhance the options for how Breast Cancer Alliance operates and shares both its knowledge and its funding. We partner with other organizations, in this field and outside, attend other non-profit events, attend seminars, and investigate best practices of other organizations, non-profit and for-profit from whom we can learn. The subject matter of that investigation could be breast cancer itself, non-profit management, effective webinars, event programming or more.

Adaptability Story

30 out of 30 points

The nonprofit has an opportunity to tell the story of how the organization adapted to tremendous external changes in the last year.

It feels like we reinvented the wheel over this last year! While we worked entirely from home, we tried our best to continue to offer the events that meant the most to our donors, while creating new ones to generate the much needed funding upon which we rely for our grants. We had all meetings, including our annual dinner, by zoom. We added virtual events, and for some, offered options to include meals for people to enjoy on their own or, once safe, to enjoy with a few friends in the safety of their own home (or yard!) We sent a one-time COVID appeal talking about the impact of COVID on our giving. We curtailed spending on events themselves, and saved money on travel, donor meals and so one. We drifted away from less paper and upped our social media presence. Though things are reopening, many of our new strategies have become more effective than the old, shaping how we move ahead in the future and conduct best practices for our foundation.

99%

Four-Star Charity

Impact & Measurement

Accountability & Finance

Culture & Community

Leadership & Adaptability

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Breast Cancer Alliance

Rating Information

Rating Report

100

Key Accountability Metrics

Tax Form Disclosures and Policies

Website Disclosures

Financial Metrics

Additional Information

100

Assessments

Impact

100 out of 100 points

Measurement

Unscored

90

Metrics

100

Metrics